Features
Maximising business opportunities available under the AfCFTA
Five villages, namely, Menpeasem, Abuburo, Bankyeasa, Suronipa, and Nkwaepa previously existed as independent towns not having anything to do with one another during which time they encountered difficulties in their socio-economic development. The difficulties they encountered taught them one lesson, that is, the need to come together and cooperate in a way that will help them to pursue their common agenda of economic development. African countries have been struggling over the years to find a lasting solution to the problem of coming together in a form of unity to promote their continental interest, having failed in a way to successfully set up Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which has now become the African Union (AU). Despite this, not much has been achieved by way of continental economic development for which reason African countries have found the need to set up the largest trading bloc in the world. This bloc, if successful, will be to the benefit of African countries since it will promote huge volumes of trade among the countries on the continent.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
In other words, one great business opportunity provided under the African Continental Free Trade Area is the platform provided for all businessmen and women on the continent to take advantage of the situation and transact business with their counterparts from other parts of the continent. The potential benefits of the bloc have been belaboured time and again and what is left now is to put it into full practice for the entire benefit of Africa. This business opportunity has come at a time when African countries are expected to transact business among their own selves and thereby maximise benefits that can accrue from business transactions with one another. In terms of resources, Africa is a rich continent but in terms of exploitation of these resources for the benefit of its people, the continent is found to be lagging behind the rest of the world. With the formation of the continental free trade, Africa stands a chance of encouraging its business entities to rise to the occasion and maximise benefits from within Africa through intra African trade rather than through business transactions with other parts of the world even though such business transactions are also important.
TRADING WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
Trading with countries outside Africa is good but the point being made is that the continent of Africa provides a huge opportunity for countries on the continent to align themselves with one another and promote trade among themselves. If this is done economic growth will take place within the continent and thereby help in the promotion of economic growth for all Africans. This is one fact that cannot be run away from, and all African countries must remain committed to this truth. Such commitment to intra African trade is what is needed by all countries in the continent to generate internally induced economic growth. It is this growth that is needed to improve upon the welfare of people on the continent and to make life better than it is today for all Africans. However, to be able to generate internally generated growth and make life better for people on the continent, African businessmen and women ought to keep to the use of applicable standards. It is the use of such relevant applicable standards that will help business entities on the continent to take advantage of the continental free trade.
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Applicable standards are meant to ensure uniformity of standards and specification so that the characteristics of imported products to any African country will be the same irrespective of where it is imported from. This will make all forms of products fit- for- purpose and ensure fairness in trade as well as promotion of large volumes of trade on the continent. A standard serves as a guide for businesses to do what is right and avoid unacceptable practices.
Such guiding principles and practices as approved by national standards bodies kept in form of a document, in form of rules, guidelines or characteristics for products and their related processes or production methods. Compliance with relevant standards implies that for whatever is produced for a market, be it local or international, the applicable standards will have to be obtained and applied to the products or processes concerned. What this means is that any business entity that wants to produce soap, textiles, footwear and food items ought to look for the relevant standards and apply them in their production process. Companies that have been able to do this supply goods not only to local markets, but also foreign or international markets. The time has, therefore, come for business entities in the country not to go about production in the same old ways of doing things but explore new areas in the application of standards to make them more competitive in the local and international markets.
FIGHTING FOR TRADE SECRETARIAT
The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has done everything he can to ensure that the Continental Free Trade Secretariat is set up in the country. This will come with several benefits to the nation, but more benefits can be derived, if business entities in Ghana here explore greater opportunities in terms of applying relevant standards so as to make themselves highly competitive in local and international markets on any part of the continent in order to bring in the needed revenue for economic growth. Even though the African trade bloc is important to the continent, we can only make adequate use of it if we focus on applicable standards in whatever is produced or manufactured for neighbouring countries. Without this there will be disagreements and trade dispute among the countries on the continent.
AVOIDING TRADE DISPUTES
Trading blocs in various parts of the world that are functioning well and promoting the interest of their bloc members often encounter disputes with one another or among themselves even when standards are being adhered to. If these standards are not adhered to by members of any trading bloc, the result will be a tremendous rise in trade related issues. This explains why African countries must pay attention to applicable standards and ensure that there is uniformity of purpose as far as trade with one another is concerned. Seen in this light, it will not be automatic for Ghanaians to just export their products to any parts of the African market but to ensure that all outputs conform to relevant standards, processes and systems to ensure quality as well as safety, good health and protection of the environment for consumers of these products. This is achievable, so all Ghanaian business entities as well as others operating in the country must make themselves relevant through application of standards and systems in line with best international practices.
The driver stopped the vehicle at the gate of the large, fenced property along the Nsawam Highway, and Kakraba stepped out to meet the several workers who had gathered to wait for him.
He greeted them and went straight to the point.
“Gentlemen, I am glad to see that you have almost completed the clearing of the land. I’m happy to report that we have concluded all arrangements with Nana Serebour, and construction of the palace will start in a few days.
“I will need you to go and level the ground, and then come back to start this project. Some workers from a construction company will come and join us.
“My plan is to build twenty houses in four months. Then we will do twenty more until we reach two hundred.
“I am relying on you to help me deliver good-quality work to satisfy our clients and, as I have already indicated to you, I will reward you for your work.”
After an hour’s discussion, he closed the meeting and moved to drive away. Wofa Yaw drew closer.
“Director, can you please spare me five minutes? I would like to discuss a small issue.”
“Why, Wofa Yaw? Your wife has threatened to leave you?”
“No, Director. My wife will never leave me. This concerns a young niece of mine.”
“I hope it’s something I can help with. Please sit in the car and let me hear you.”
“Boss, my niece, Beesiwa, is a polytechnic graduate, very beautiful and with very good character.
“Unfortunately, her parents virtually forced her into a relationship with an idiot based in the US, which affected her badly. She has now recovered from that experience and, Boss, I am respectfully asking if you would find a job for her.
“I promise you that you will never regret it.”
“Well, Wofa Yaw, let me meet her and speak with her. I may be able to help, maybe not in the way you expect, but let me meet her.
“I will not be back here for another week, but I will be at the office throughout next week. You can come with her.”
On Monday morning, Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa were seated at the office by nine o’clock. Three young ladies welcomed them warmly, offered them soft drinks and assured them that Kakraba would be there shortly.
They then returned to their desks and sat behind computers with large screens displaying various building designs.
Kakraba walked in and greeted them warmly. After chatting briefly with the three ladies, he ushered Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa into his office.
“Director, this is my niece, Beesiwa. I mentioned her to you when you came to Nsawam.”
“Yes, indeed. Madam Beesiwa, you are very beautiful, just as your uncle said. Wofa Yaw is my colleague.
“We have just started a building project that will take about three to four years. He mentioned that you have a small problem, so I said I would like to meet you and see how I can help.
“So, Beesiwa, please tell me a little about yourself.”
Beesiwa described her childhood, her school experience, her brief work at the bank and the nasty episode with Sammy Abrokwa, which shattered her peaceful life. She also explained how she had been recovering from the experience.
“I am really sorry to hear this,” Kakraba said. “Now, here is what we are going to do.
“We are a small but very busy company. The three ladies out there spend most of the day on site and come back to report on their work in the morning.
“I have three main projects. The big one is an estate project in Nsawam, where your uncle is one of my main colleagues. I need a personal assistant who can take care of my activities, especially when I am not in town.
“Now, we will have to start with trust. Based on what I know about Wofa Yaw, and based on what you yourself have told me, I think we can start on a sound basis.
“So, Wofa Yaw will take you to my home. You can move into one of the four guest rooms.”
“Sir, I have taken some computer lessons, and I have even done graphics and web design,” Beesiwa said.
“Fantastic! I will give you a good phone and a laptop. I will also arrange computer lessons for you.”
“Now, Wofa Yaw, take her home. My sister, Kuukuwa, will meet you and show you around, and then you can return to Koforidua.
“When would you like to start work?”
“Sir, I would like to start today, but I would need to go and bring my things.”
“No problem. Take a taxi to my house, meet my sister, and let me know what you decide.”
Later that day, Kakraba and the three ladies met with some bank officials to conclude the sale of the three buildings at Adabraka.
They closed at five-thirty and, after rewarding the ladies for their hard work, Kakraba got home just after dark.
He was surprised to find Kuukuwa and Beesiwa sitting at the table enjoying supper.
“What’s happening here?” he asked. “Beesiwa, I thought you would return to Koforidua.”
“She changed her mind,” Kuukuwa said. “We went to the mall and bought a few things for her. Then we came back to cook. She has made some nice changes to your bedroom and cooked a couple of interesting dishes. Sit down; we will serve you.”
“Well, I certainly can’t refuse that. It’s been a busy day.
“So, what’s the plan now? Will Beesiwa go to Koforidua tomorrow, gather her things together and come down?”
“No, I will stay here for a while,” Beesiwa replied. “Kuukuwa bought me the things I need, so I may go back next week. I’m ready to start work. What would you like me to start with?”
“Well, you can come to the office tomorrow morning, meet the three girls and get a feel for what we do.
“Since you are living here, at least for now, we can discuss the plans for the next few weeks.
“Sometimes there are gaps when I travel up north. You can take care of things from now. I think the girls would like having someone like you around.”
By Ekow de Heer
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A frequent question following breast surgery is whether human tissue possesses the regenerative capacity to restore an excised organ.
From a strict physiological standpoint, a completely removed breast cannot regrow. Unlike certain organisms that can regenerate complex limbs or organs, adult human tissues—particularly specialised glandular structures—lack the cellular machinery required to rebuild an entire organ after its total surgical removal.
Instead, the body heals the surgical site through processes such as scar tissue formation and re-epithelialisation rather than complete cellular regeneration.
What a mastectomy actually removes
To understand why natural tissue regeneration does not occur, it is important to examine the surgical scope of a mastectomy.
Depending on the type of procedure and the medical reason for surgery, a mastectomy may involve the removal of:
Glandular architecture: The milk-producing lobules and ducts that form the functional core of the mammary gland.
Adipose tissue: The fatty tissue that contributes to breast volume, projection and contour.
Other breast tissue: The extent of tissue removal varies according to the type of mastectomy and the need to achieve appropriate surgical clearance.
Because specialised breast structures are physically removed, the body does not rebuild a complete mammary gland. Instead, healing occurs through tissue repair and scar formation.
Distinguishing residual tissue from “regrowth”
Patients or observers may notice changes in the chest area after surgery, sometimes leading to misconceptions about tissue regeneration.
Skin- and nipple-sparing procedures
Modern breast surgery may preserve the outer skin envelope or, in selected cases, the nipple-areola complex. Small amounts of breast tissue may remain depending on the surgical technique. Any changes in remaining tissue due to hormonal fluctuations represent residual tissue responding to the body, rather than the regrowth of a completely removed breast.
Adipose accumulation
Weight gain after surgery can increase the amount of subcutaneous fat across the chest wall. However, this is part of general body fat distribution and does not represent the regeneration of a mammary gland.
Modern reconstructive pathways
Because a completely removed breast does not naturally regenerate, modern medicine offers reconstructive options aimed at restoring physical symmetry, contour and body image.
The two main approaches are implant-based reconstruction and autologous, or tissue-based, reconstruction.
Implant-based reconstruction
Implant-based reconstruction uses synthetic medical devices, typically filled with silicone gel or saline, to rebuild the breast mound following a mastectomy.
The two-stage process: This approach may begin with the placement of a temporary tissue expander to gradually create space and stretch the surrounding tissues. A later procedure may then be performed to place a permanent implant.
Recovery profile: Implant-based reconstruction generally involves a shorter initial surgery and recovery period compared with procedures that require tissue to be harvested from another part of the body.
Long-term considerations: Breast implants are not lifetime devices and require ongoing medical monitoring. Some patients may need additional procedures over time because of complications or changes in the implant or surrounding tissue.
Autologous or tissue-based reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own living tissue to create a new breast mound. Tissue may be transferred from another part of the body, commonly the lower abdomen, using procedures such as a DIEP flap.
Natural look and feel: Because the reconstruction uses living tissue, it can provide a natural warmth, texture and softness. The tissue may also change with the patient’s body weight over time.
Long-term durability: Once healing is complete, autologous reconstruction can provide a long-lasting result without the need to replace an implant. However, some patients may still require further procedures.
Complex surgery: This option usually involves a longer operation and recovery period. In microsurgical procedures, surgeons may need to reconnect tiny blood vessels to establish blood flow to the transferred tissue.
Direct comparison
When choosing between these two reconstructive pathways, patients and their surgical teams must consider several physical, medical and lifestyle factors.
Surgical burden: Implant surgery is generally less invasive, while flap reconstruction involves surgery at both the chest and the donor site.
Foreign material versus native tissue: Implants involve the use of a medical device, while autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue.
Recovery: The recovery timelines and rehabilitation requirements differ significantly between the two procedures.
Recovery and physical rehabilitation
Recovering from breast reconstruction requires patience, careful pacing and, in some cases, structured physical rehabilitation.
Because implant-based and autologous tissue-flap procedures involve different surgical techniques, their healing timelines and physical therapy milestones can vary considerably.
Understanding these differences is important for patients considering reconstruction, as the choice involves more than restoring physical appearance. It also requires careful consideration of recovery, long-term monitoring, lifestyle and individual medical needs.
Part 2 will examine recovery timelines, physical therapy milestones and other factors patients should consider when choosing between reconstructive options.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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